Regulation and Stability of Host-Parasite Population Interactions: II. Destabilizing Processes

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Abstract
Three categories of biological processes have a destabilizing influence on the dynamic behavior of model host-parasite [animal] associations: parasite-induced reduction in host reproductive potential, parasite reproduction within a host which directly increases parasite population size, and time delays in parasite reproduction and transmission. The importance of parasitic species as regulators of host population growth is examined in light of empirical evidence. Data from 2 particular laboratory studies are used to indicate the magnitude of this regulatory influence. Suggestions are made concerning the type of information required from field studies to facilitate critical assessment of theoretical predictions.